Since the accident, he had been treated at Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, Italy, with his mother and brother by his side. Though few details of Hayden's condition were released since the accident, ESPN reported that the hospital released this statement:

"The medical team has verified the death of the patient Nicholas Patrick Hayden, who has been undergoing care since last Wednesday May 17 in the intensive care unit of the Bufalini Hospital in Cesena following a very serious polytrauma which occurred the same day."

Hayden started riding at age three and racing at only five-years-old. His family would have to hold his bike up at the starting line as he couldn't touch the ground. He continued racing throughout high school and in 2002, won the Daytona 200 becoming the youngest AMA Superbike champion ever, which landed him a spot at the MotoGP world championship. He went on to win the MotoGP title in 2006. Only last year, after 13 years racing in MotoGP, Hayden switched to racing in the World Superbike championship, finishing fifth overall. He held 13th position for 2017 as a member of the Red Bull Honda racing team.

People worldwide are heartbroken over the loss of #69, the Kentucky Kid.